St. Martin's Episcopal Church

In February of 2023, St. Martin's Episcopal Church became a Mission of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. We first gathered as a worshipping community in October of 2011 in an office space on the square in downtown Mason, TX and have grown to our current home at 111 Willow Street right off Highway 29 going east out of downtown.

Since our inception in 2011, we have adhered to the traditions and protocols of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. Our observances use the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and the Episcopal Hymnal of 1982. Our original title, Episcopal Worshiping Community, was assigned by the Diocesan Bishop and the Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese of West Texas. Our founding clergy, and all subsequent priests and a deacon, have been appointed by the Diocese of West Texas or approved by them to officiate. Our Prayers of the People always include prayers for the Presiding Bishop and the diocesan bishops.

​Innovation. Since its founding, Saint Martin's has endeavored to introduce meaningful innovations into our liturgical worship. The priest’s homily is typically followed by a time for comments, questions and group discussion. Saint Martin's is also the only dog-friendly church in Mason County, and congregants and visitors are invited to bring their canine companions to services.

​Inclusiveness. Saint Martin's has actively sought to engage with residents of Mason County who may not feel well served by other churches, especially LGBTQ people and those who do not subscribe to religious orthodoxy. To our knowledge, Saint Martin's was the first and only church in Mason County to invite an openly gay priest to serve as celebrant at our Christmas Eve worship.

Outreach. Saint Martin's Episcopal Church engages with the larger Christian community in Mason County through its participation in the Mason County Ministerial Alliance. Our weekly covered dish lunches at Sandstone Cellars Wine Bar are open to all, and we encourage strangers to eat and visit with us on Sundays. Many of Saint Martin’s members are leaders and active volunteers in Second Chance— Mason Animal Rescue, Mason Community Kitchen and Mason County Food Bank. In addition, Saint Martin's supports and promotes Threads of Blessing by selling its tapestries at local events.